Yusuf Yabagi, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) coordinator and Action Democratic Party chair, says 2023 will be President Muhammadu Buhari’s “glorious exit” and that political parties are planning to honour him with the ‘hero of democracy’ award.

On the forthcoming general elections, Mr Yabagi said, “Mr President, history beckons on you. 2023 is going to be your glorious exit. That is our prayer, and for that to happen, you have to take charge of every activity that matters in the exercise.”

Speaking on behalf of leaders of other political parties during an Iftar event organised by the president for the politicians and businesspeople, the ADP chair, who described Mr Buhari as a true democrat, added, “The fact that political leaders of various political parties are sitting with you today speaks volumes that you are truly a democrat and believe in the project of growing democracy in this country.”

IPAC’s decision to give Mr Buhari an award as ‘hero of democracy’, according to Mr Yabagi, is based on Mr Buhari’s signing into law the Electoral Act.

The IPAC coordinator, who commended INEC for innovation and reforms towards ensuring credible elections, appealed to the president to look into the role of security agencies in the 2023 general elections.

‘‘Members of IPAC are worried by the programme of INEC that elected candidates will spend 10 months campaigning around the country. That is a herculean task,” stressed Mr Yabagi.

Commenting on the type of leader Nigeria needs after Mr Buhari, a representative of the business community and Sahara Group GMD Kola Adesina, said the individual must carry “the banner of hope for a new Nigeria, not a banner of self.”

‘‘We are transitioning, and I want to respectfully ask the president that anybody who comes around to show interest in leadership, you must ask them for their manifesto. Not what they want to do but how they want to do it,” explained Mr Adesina. “‘The challenge has always been how, not what.”

Mr Adesina, who thanked the president for sustaining investments in infrastructure across the country, including the Second Niger Bridge and the East-West Road, stressed the need for continuity by the next government.

(NAN)